Top 5 Trends Shaping Healthcare Procurement Solutions in 2024

The healthcare industry has seen unprecedented transformation in the past few years. From diagnostics to treatment to service delivery, the industry has been constantly evolving, and healthcare procurement is no exception. But the changes also meant a sharp rise in costs, and hospitals and clinics have been striving to deliver better patient care while controlling costs.

Innovative solutions are emerging to streamline the procurement process in the healthcare industry. Here are the top 5 trends shaping healthcare procurement solutions that leaders should be looking at in 2024:

Trend 1 # Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration

Just like technology is changing the way we live and work, AI is revolutionizing the healthcare industry by playing a significant role in how data is managed and analyzed in procurement processes. Some of the ways AI is being used in healthcare procurement include:

Automated Sourcing and Vendor Management

Healthcare organizations can leverage AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data in order to identify the best-fit vendors based on factors such as price, quality and past performance. This would also enable organizations to streamline the sourcing process and cut risks of human error.

Predictive Analytics

AI’s ability to sift through large volumes of historical data can help enterprises to anticipate the future requirements of healthcare organizations. This analysis empowers healthcare organizations to effectively manage their inventories, preventing shortages, excess supply, and unnecessary redundancies.

Spend Analysis and Cost Optimization

Artificial intelligence — by uncovering spending patterns and offering detailed insights — can offer practical suggestions for saving costs. This empowers healthcare procurement teams to secure better contract terms through negotiations and make important decisions based on data-driven insights.

Trend 2 # Increased Uptake of Cloud-Based Solutions

Cloud-based procurement software solutions have witnessed rapid uptake in the healthcare industry over the past few years with their several advantages over traditional on-premise systems, including:

Accessibility and Security

Cloud-based systems can enable procurement teams and stakeholders to collaborate in real time from any location. Moreover, these solutions provide a high level of security and reliability, ensuring the protection of sensitive data within the healthcare procurement process.

Scalability

Healthcare organizations often see unexpected and unprecedented changes in scenarios (such as the recent global pandemic) which require them to make sudden adjustments. Therefore, they need to be able to easily scale up or down as required.

Cost-Effective Solution

Cloud-based solutions operate on a subscription model. This unique value proposition eliminates the need for upfront investments in hardware and software. It also improves cost efficiency for healthcare institutions of all sizes.

Trend 3 # Focus on Value-Based Procurement

Moving toward a value-based approach from a cost-centric approach essentially means that the focus has now shifted to the total cost of ownership (TCO), and not just the initial purchase price of medical equipment or service.

Value-based procurement considers factors such as product quality and performance, TCO, and vendor performance. These factors help an organization understand if the products will be able to deliver the expected clinical outcome at expected total cost of ownership, and whether the vendor will abide by the timelines, quality guidelines, etc. A value-based approach enables healthcare organizations to optimize their spending and make sure they are able to extract the most out of their efforts in procurement.

Trend 4 # Rising Importance of Supply Chain Transparency

Transparency in the healthcare supply chain is essential for safeguarding patient wellbeing and upholding the integrity of the organization. It also promotes ethical sourcing methods and smooth operations. Here are some key areas of supply chain transparency that are quickly becoming more prominent:

Track and Trace Capabilities

Blockchain has made it very easy to track the movement of medical supplies and equipment from their source to the point of use, ensuring quality and authenticity of medical supplies.

Sustainable Procurement Practices

Sustainability in procurement practices is fast gaining priority, putting the focus on sourcing from ethically responsible vendors and opting for environmentally friendly products.

Ethical Sourcing

Transparent sourcing practices help healthcare organizations ensure that medical supplies are not produced through unethical practices. This also improves patient safety and builds trust with stakeholders.

Trend 5 # Collaboration Between Procurement and Clinical Teams

Procurement teams within healthcare organizations and clinical teams have operated in silos for a long time. But there has been a surge in collaboration between these teams that has led to better clinical outcomes and cost efficiency.

Clinical teams can provide deep insights into their specific needs, specifications, and preferences for better patient outcomes. This information can equip procurement teams to source the products that achieve the desired outcomes.

On the other hand, procurement teams’ expertise (at negotiations, contract management, and vendor relationships) can help clinical teams to secure better deals on consumables, critical as well as non-critical medical supplies.

Conclusion

Digital transformation in the healthcare procurement domain has enhanced the transparency of medical supply chains and has built resilience against sudden changes. Leveraging these trending healthcare procurement solutions can enable healthcare organizations to streamline their operations, reduce costs — and above all, improve the health outcomes for patients.